Toronto Homicide #26 – Homicide unit called in after a man was found deceased in a fire near Balliol Street near Yonge Street

Emergency crews responded to report of a small fire in a second-floor laundry room of a building in the area of Balliol Street near Yonge Street and Davisville Avenue, on May 14th at approximately 2:05am.

According to reports fire department put out the small fire with a fire extinguisher and discovered an injured man without vital signs.

Homicide investigators are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a man. He was last seen wearing a dark jacket with red and black checkered pajamas seen here. Police said the suspect should not be approached if seen immediately contact 911.

Homicide investigators are going door-to-door in the building and appealing for any witnesses to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS.

Update May 14th
Toronto police have identified the victim as Peter Elie, 52, of Toronto.

Update May 16th
Rico Harvey, 27, of Toronto, was arrested on May 15th and charged with one count of Second Degree Murder.

The 2020 Toronto Homicide Victim List is available here.